Who wrote this curious book, written in Dutch, dealing with many different aspects of the sea? It provides a
truly wide spectrum of sea related issues, clearly written by a person (or
persons) who had detailed knowledge. The book is highlighted with many
woodcuts. Although issued anonymous and with no date, the Koninklijke
Bibliotheek dates it at 1865. With this date it is one of the earliest works originally
written in Dutch on the topic of oceanography. Of course, Marsilli’s Natuurkundige beschrijving der zeen
(1786) was the first (a translation of the 1725 original in French). The two volumes
of Zimmermann’s De zee, hare bewoners en
wonderen (1838-1839) were translated from German and Maury’s Natuurkundige beschrijving der zeeën
(1855) was translated (and partly edited) by Marin Henri Jansen (1817-1893)
from the English original. As the sub-title suggests, there are many chapters, e.g. on
maritime instruments (compass, steering wheel, log, octant, barometer, even the
thermometer to detect different water masses or nearby icebergs), and
lighthouses.

The ‘bateau poisson’ of Brutus (de) Villeroi (1794–1874), the fish-shaped vessel, built in 1832, and in 1837 demonstrated in Paris to Netherlands’
representatives (including Antoine Lipkens (1782-1847) and Ltz.
Olke Arnoldus Uhlenbeck (1810-1888), receives much attention
with a folding plate.

‘Bateau poisson’ of Brutus (de) Villeroi (1794–1874), interior.

‘Bateau
poisson’, exterior.

Also fisheries are rather detailed with
information on history, methods and catches for herring, cod (stock fish), salmon,
tuna, and sturgeon. Culturing of oysters and mussels, the latter on
artificial substrates like branches and poles, is presented in the book, as is
fishing for pearls, coral, sponges and amber. Hunting for sharks, seals, walrus
and whales, but also for seabirds (edible bird’s nests) was a common practice.
Already in the 1860s there was an interest in fish culture (according to the
text ‘invented’ by the German Graf von Holstein in 1763). Induced spawning of
e.g. trout or salmon is practiced, and provides amusing reading;
dedicated installations were erected to facilitate this culture (see more pictures in 'ad HOC #15'.

The second half of the book relates to shipping (history,
shipbuilding, sailing ships and (paddle) steamers, the use of ships screws,
crews), harbours and world trade by sea. The chapter on ‘Science in
support of mankind and his combat against the elements’ discusses (trade)
winds, storms, and currents. A link
is made with the KNMI: “De Nederlander
mag er trotsch op zijn, bij deze waarnemingen eene eerste plaats in te nemen.
Het Koninklijk Nederlandsch meteorologisch Instituut te Utrecht, onder
hoofddirectie van professor BUYS BALLOT, bevat eene afdeeling, welke zich
uitsluitend met de zeevaart bezig houdt en die onder de directie van eenen
zeeofficier staat, terwijl er nog een zeeman bij gedetacheerd is als
onderofficier.” After a section related to M.F. Maury’s work on wind
and current charts there is a reference to “ons instituut” (our institute), the
only indication about a possible author. Who was the author? ‘Ons
instituut’ points to someone from KNMI, at least for the section on oceanography.
A first though is Marin Henri Jansen (1817-1893), good friend of Maury, but he
was only for a short period director of the Afdeling Zeevaart at KNMI (February
- December 1854), which does not appear to match with the presumed publication
date of 1865. A better option seems Karel Frederik Robbert Andrau (1824 -
1914), KNMI director January 1859 – December 1863, considered
competent for at least the chapter on oceanography. But, considering the high level of detail of the information
on various rather different subjects (oceanography, fisheries, shipping,
trade), one may argue that it was not just one author but a collective of
authors. Was this the reason why they are not identified by the publisher? Any
suggestion by our readers would be welcomed.

For those interested to learn more about this work: You can
view this book via Delpher of the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (National Library of
the Netherlands).